Key Aspects:
- The newly-introduced fresh (but for a fee) donuts are already available on 11 Carnival cruise ships.
- The treats will be rolled out fleetwide in the next couple of weeks, though exact dates are not confirmed.
- Donuts, beignets, and churros will be available at different venues depending on the exact Carnival ship.
Carnival Cruise Line’s new breakfast treats have been sweet news for cruisers, but where exactly can they be found? While the donuts, beignets, and churros are being rolled out fleetwide, they are not yet available on every ship.
John Heald, the cruise line’s brand ambassador, has confirmed the list of ships where the new for-a-fee snacks are available. Guests can already enjoy them aboard:
- Carnival Breeze
- Carnival Celebration
- Carnival Dream
- Carnival Firenze
- Carnival Horizon
- Carnival Jubilee
- Carnival Magic
- Carnival Panorama
- Carnival Venezia
- Carnival Vista
- Mardi Gras
The treats will still be rolled out to the remaining ships in the Carnival fleet, though exact dates for their availability have not been confirmed.
“They will be on the rest of the North American fleet in the next couple of weeks,” Heald explained.
The exact timing will undoubtedly depend on when appropriate supplies are available onboard to fry and serve the donuts as the delicious, made fresh, warm treat they are advertised to be.
Guests have their choice of cinnamon sugar, powdered sugar, Boston cream, and glazed donuts, or beignets with powdered sugar, strawberry sauce, and chocolate sauce. Fresh churros rolled in cinnamon sugar are also on the menu.
But where onboard will guests find the treats? Heald has also clarified that.
“They are served from Street Eats, or Sweet Spot, or Seafood Shack and other locations depending on the ship,” he said.
Street Eats is a quick-service venue located on all three Excel-class ships, Mardi Gras, Carnival Celebration, and Carnival Jubilee. The venue is located midship, starboard side on Deck 16, just forward of the pool.
Because Street Eats typically only serves grab-and-go daily selections during the afternoon hours, this is a natural choice for where to offer the new breakfast selection.
Sweet Spot is another great choice for where to find donuts and beignets. Part of the Lido Marketplace buffet on most Carnival ships, it will be easy for guests to grab these bites.
It may be confusing, however, that they are offered for a fee when other items in the buffet space are free.
Seafood Shack is similar to Street Eats in that it is typically only open during the afternoon hours. This makes the space underutilized in the morning when donuts would be most popular.
Already a for-a-fee venue with grab-and-go items, Seafood Shack is a good choice for where to offer the pastries. Most Carnival ships already have a Seafood Shack onboard.
It is possible that the new donuts, beignets, and churros may be available in different locations on the same ship. This would be helpful to ensure short lines and extra-fresh treats for everyone to enjoy.
Whether or not multiple locations will prepare the pastries will depend on overall ship operations as well as demand for the donuts.
“The Funtimes and the Hub App will have all the information,” Heald noted.
Will Guests Enjoy the Donuts?
The donut announcement was met with mixed reactions. Some guests dislike the idea that they are an extra-charge treat, particularly when danishes, croissants, muffins, and cinnamon rolls are free every day.
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This can feel like a nickel and diming situation, with new things added to the cruise line not being included with the cruise fare.
Others note that a made fresh treat is certainly worth the small fee. There’s no denying that the two for $4 donuts or the four for $3.50 beignets do seem to be a good value.
Time will tell whether or not Carnival keeps the donuts onboard, changes or even eliminates the fee, or perhaps expands the donut menu to include additional flavors, such as holiday or seasonal options.
